I like Mark Brunnel. He's a team leader and he is a team player. He has a lot of experience and wants to do well and wants the team to do well. Unfortunately, that is not enough to be a starting QB for the Redskins in my opinion.I've heard all the excuses (Portis isn't playing, the line isn't holding up, the receivers aren't getting open). Let's put some of these to rest.When the Redskins have all these things, they still stink offensively. Brunell was never a passing threat and every team knew it. After last season, I said to myself....the Skins need 3 things to add to their team to be superbowl bound..1. a kicker that can boot fieldgoals and kickoff into or near the endzone. 2. Another wide receiver that is a threat. Santana Moss is awesome, but when he is all you have, they will double team him. We need more wide receivers...and 3. A quarterback that can throw the ball downfield to them. We got the receivers and missed the other 2. So, what did we accomplish....we spent some money.Sure Clinton Portis is a big part of the Redskin offense, but he doesn't make the passing game. Everybody talks about the success of last year. Let me tell you something,.....if it hadn't been for the defense last year, the Redskins would've been a 6-10 team at best. How many games did we say 'We almost won, if the offense had just put up 14 points, we would've'.Brunnel always has decent numbers, he doesn't throw many interceptions......of course not, he always throws the ball away. I've never seen a QB throw the ball away more than Brunnel. Don't get me wrong. There is always a time to throw it away, but it appears as though that is in his mind the moment he drops back. His numbers always get padded in a meaningless drive at the end of the game. That is why his numbers fall in line with everone else.Brunell's problem is that he doesn't have the arm to throw the ball downfield. Sure, he can put some air into it and throw it 50+ yards...... I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about throwing a bullet across the middle in between the zone......you know.....you've seen it......the Patriots do it, the Colts do it, the Steelers......In fact, the only ones that don't are the ones with the weaker arms.See, if Brunell tries to thread the zone (when a player breaks past one zone defender and is heading into another zone defenders area), the area will close before the ball gets there....unless Brunell throws the ball before the receiver gets open anticipating the route....which he doesn'tI was making a comment during last nights game to my son that Brunell just can't pull the trigger in the middle of the field, just these 5 yard passes toward the sideline. Within a few minutes, they put a graphic up on the screen that said Brunell was like #1 in passes caught outside the yard line numbers and last in passes caught inside the line numbers.When other teams have a 3rd and 12, they throw the ball down the field 12+ yards.....Brunell throws a 7 yard pass on the sideline and we punt anyway.Lets go back to last year. In the playoffs, the Redskin defense got by Tampa....not the offense....and Seattle, there was no offense except when the Seahawks allowed us to 'kill the clock'. If we had brought any kind of offense to Seattle, we would've been playing in the Championship game.I'm tired of everyone saying that the opposing team played great defense. Pretty soon, they are going to start saying that every team Washington plays has a great defense.There is a solid core of receivers, there is a solid core of running backs. The OL is good enough to provide some protection and open up some holes for running as long as a passing threat is there. If there is no passing threat, there will be no running game. Let me put it this way. If the Redskins had the 4 best receivers of all-time playing, there passing game would still be lame.... Hey, Dallas has the same problem, we have, they just have a better defense right now.Don't get me wrong......this is not the only proglem the Redskings have....their defense is not playing well at all. They really have not stopped any drives this year except for the ones that have stalled on penalties or poor play. Heck, how many times during the game did Minnesota have to punt ...twice....how many were because of penalties?So, the defense needs work, but my point is that the offensive problem that the Redskins have is not a new problem. They had it all last year.....it just gets covered up when your defense puts up 14 points a game and the offense puts up the other 3. Now that the defense isn't shutting down teams and scoring points, our offensive problem sticks out like a sore thumb.I am a die-hard Redskin fan and normally I root with the best of them, but it seems that lately I just get in a bad mood when I watch them play. I am so disappointed with them and I can't believe that the expensive coaching staff can't see the problem. I think they need to put their ego's aside and admit that they made a bad choice in the QB position and let's start giving Campbell some starts. He's going to play bad, no doubt....Manning did, Elway did and Favre did. When are we going to start Campbell's rough season....next year? Let's go ahead and bite the bullet and see if we can make a run for the trophy next year....cause I gotta tell you....with all the pre-season talk of Washington being a candidate for the Super Bowl.....it will be a miracle if they even make the wild-card.
I don't think Jason Campbell will solve the problem though.He'd get his ass kicked against 1st string defenses.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (chang @ Sep 18 2006, 06:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I don't think Jason Campbell will solve the problem though.He'd get his ass kicked against 1st string defenses.</div>He may not solve the problem tomorrow or the day after, but if you can admit there is a problem that needs to be solved, he in the only answer that makes any sense.....The Redskins may have to show a little patience while he matures, but I can tell you right now, we've got no chance with Brunell and he is not going to get any better. Brunell is as good as he will get. Campbell can only improve with each passing game.Brunell only throws downfield when the game is lost and he seems to say 'hell with it'. He is so concerned with not making a bad decision that he doesn't allow himself a chance to succeed. Tom Brady isn't worried about making a bad decision.....he wants to get in there and win. Same thing when Marino played...he was a leader and wanted to put the team on his shoulders and carry them. Brunell just wants to avoid mistakes.I can only think of 1 QB that came in his first NFL start and took control of the team and that was Ben Roethlisburger. It took Peyton a year to mature, it took Elway a couple of years. Eli did very well his first year. Maybe Campbell won't take the skins to the playoffs, but I would put my money on him before Brunell. Also keep in mind that although he didn't play against 1st string defenses in pre-season, he also didn't have 1st string receivers, running backs, and line to help him on the offensive side.I just wish that they would realize that Brunell didn't have a good season last year when the Skins were successful. The defense hid the pitiful offense and when the defense couldn't hold a team to under 10 points, we lost. So, admit there is a problem and let's work on a solution....even if it takes a year or so.
Well i beg to differ, and i also agree, .....Benching you QB when i he completely unproductive is something you want to do early. As a Bears fan i know all about the pain of having a "QB PROBLEM",,, In my expirence, i think that the Redskins with or with out, Brunell would have lost,, the team as a whole is BAD, their offensive line is all players nobody wanted..except for "Chris Samuels " Dont get your hopes up, on a team going no where.If i was a Redskins fan, i would hope to see as many rookies so i can make an assesment for next year. No Portis no team,, is what i say,., Dont expect much untill Portis comes back,, But also look at these facts....A little to early for Redskins to fold it up?Maybe but follow me for a minute. Injuries for Washington Redskins Shawn Springs CB Out Abdomen Clinton Portis RB Doubtful Shoulder Exsample and compared tooInjuries for Indianapolis Colts DeDe Dorsey RB Out Ankle Josh Thomas DE Out Hip Ben Utecht TE Questionable Finger Nick Harper CB Questionable Ankle Ben Hartsock TE Questionable Hamstring Tim Jennings CB Questionable Ankle Freddie Keiaho LB Out Knee Ryan Lilja G Questionable Knee Rob Morris LB Questionable Foot Montae Reagor DT Questionable Knee Bob Sanders S Questionable Knee Jake Scott G Questionable Knee Corey Simon DT Out Knee Jim Sorgi QB Questionable Right shoulder Brandon Stokley WR Questionable Ankle Gary Brackett LB Questionable Calf Jason David CB Questionable Tooth Ryan Diem T Questionable Hand Gilbert Gardner LB Questionable Hand Mike Doss S Questionable Calf WHO IS DOING BETTER? WHO IS MAKING EXCUSES?Not done,,,, keep following me ......Phillip Daniels , Old and every team you play will run at him.. He is a multi-team reject, , Hell he is also a Bears reject....Shawn Springs Old...Adam Archuleta, 3 interceptions in 6 years,, Unacceptable as a starting safety..I could go on and on,, how bad this team is,, It is built around 1 guy, =Portis, and cant afford much more then that.. One bright spot is "Sean Taylor", He will be a stud....Problem is you dont have a football owner, you have a internet geek nerd moron who thinks he knows something, and is laughed at around the league...Sorry, but what i see here is a great franchise wasted and ruined by some moron trying to run a real team like a fantasy team... Brunnel a problem ,,,sure he is HE IS OLD AS HELL..Not to mention he has never been incredible, yes some bright spots, but how can you get excited about this guy?Sorry,, im a realist....
I agree with the general idea that Campbell is the better option at this point in time if Super Bowl is the goal. But lets just be fair about one thing.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>I was making a comment during last nights game to my son that Brunell just can't pull the trigger in the middle of the field, just these 5 yard passes toward the sideline. Within a few minutes, they put a graphic up on the screen that said Brunell was like #1 in passes caught outside the yard line numbers and last in passes caught inside the line numbers.</div>It is very difficult for a Quarterback to throw over the middle of the field when he has a crew of Midget WR's such as the Redskins currently do. Santana Moss doesnt go over the middle of the field, Randle El doesnt go over the middle of the field, Brandon Lloyd shouldnt go over the middle of the field. What the Redskins should have been looking for this offseason was that 6'4 Target that can go over the middle and make those tough catches while taking the hit. A guy like Keyshawn Johnson would have been ideal for that role (and probably less of a headache then Brandon Lloyd will be for you guys). Changing a Quarterback isnt going to change the fact that the Redskins attack the sidelines because that is what their Recievers do best.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AdropOFvenom @ Sep 19 2006, 01:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>It is very difficult for a Quarterback to throw over the middle of the field when he has a crew of Midget WR's such as the Redskins currently do. Santana Moss doesnt go over the middle of the field, Randle El doesnt go over the middle of the field, Brandon Lloyd shouldnt go over the middle of the field. What the Redskins should have been looking for this offseason was that 6'4 Target that can go over the middle and make those tough catches while taking the hit. A guy like Keyshawn Johnson would have been ideal for that role (and probably less of a headache then Brandon Lloyd will be for you guys). Changing a Quarterback isnt going to change the fact that the Redskins attack the sidelines because that is what their Recievers do best.</div>Adrop, you know I pretty much agree with you. But I do think that Brunell, Al Saunders offense, and the defense are the biggest problems. Brunell I think has taken a lot of Joe Gibbs principles of "Don't turn the ball over", so I think that's why you have all those safe passes..ie screens, 5 yard outs, etc. in fear of doing just that.With Campbell you have someone with the arm strength, not just get it down field but get it down field quickly. With small fast receivers you need someone with BIG arm with a lot of velocity.Now the problem with Campbell is experience. And with an owner who has invested a lot of money with this season, I'm sure he wants to win now. I never known Synder to want to rebuild, so there lies another problem.Another problem is Al Saunders offense. I'm not sure if anyone really knows how diffcult this offense is. I know personal we've played a few teams in the past who ran that same offense (Texas Tech mainly, Colorado, and I think Kansas State) and if you don't have every key element in play you can forget. And you're right, if you look at the teams in the pros who have ran this offense they have nice size receivers who can go over the top to get balls...example Holt, Bruce, Gonzales and the list goes on.And as much as I love to say this, the Redskins I think feel in love with Santana Moss (and rightfully so) that they think that undersize receivers are the way to go. And it does help matters when Gibbs in the past had undersize receivers. Nowadays DB's are bigger and just as fast as those undersize quick receivers. And not to mention the sophication of defenses.So I say start Campbell and let him get use to playing with those receivers. Because Campbell stands at 6'4", and that could pose a problem with small receivers. A lot over tall passes. So, put Campbell in there so that you can at least have a chance for next year. Because either way the Redskins are not going to do much.Now the defense is a big shock to me. I can't believe that Greg Williams defense has to revolve around one person...Shawn Springs. I mean Springs is good but coming on. It doesn't matter if Springs is in there are not. The most overrated signing was Carter. There is no pass rush from the D-Line. Marcus Washington and Shawn Taylor are pretty much the only ones on the defense who can say that they are really good.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Punisher @ Sep 19 2006, 08:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>We probably have the best team with probably the worst starting quarterback, end of story.</div>Well I guess one out of two ain't bad. The best team? Hardly! And like I said it's not just Brunell either.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CipherCowboy @ Sep 19 2006, 06:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>you know I pretty much agree with you. But I do think that Brunell, Al Saunders offense, and the defense are the biggest problems.</div> :LMAO: That makes no sense. You might as well have said the whole team, which you know isn't true.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BearClaw @ Sep 18 2006, 11:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Phillip Daniels , Old and every team you play will run at him.. He is a multi-team reject, , Hell he is also a Bears reject....Shawn Springs Old...</div>Age is not a factor with a QB or most of the time any other position except for speed and versatility. Don't sit here and say that because someone is old that it will affect their play greatly. Age comes with loss of speed, which can come to a great effect at some point, but it also has the greatest advantage you can have in football. That advanage... a mental edge. Players with age tend to know everything about their positions. They have great awareness and ability to not make mistakes from experience. Don't go on saying a QB can get too old, because a QB gets better as they get older. Brad Johnson last year took a team 7-2 at age 37, just peering upon 38 this year. He did this where the so-called top QB in Culpepper failed to show any sign of a good season in the early goings before his injury. Knowledge is key in the NFL, and that's what you look for in a veteran. Veterans play a key role in any team, whether or not they start. They give confidence to young players, and ability and leadership to help everyone, includng themselves in tight situations.
[quote name='Capt. Comeback' post='70098' date='Sep 19 2006, 10:57 PM'][quote name='CipherCowboy' post='70045' date='Sep 19 2006, 06:01 PM']you know I pretty much agree with you. But I do think that Brunell, Al Saunders offense, and the defense are the biggest problems.[/quote] :LMAO: That makes no sense. You might as well have said the whole team, which you know isn't true.[/quote]This makes perfectly good sense. Because if you knew football the way you profess to know football than you would know there's 3 fascets to football. It seems that you're special teams is pretty good. But if you were paying attention instead of hear or read what you want, you would have saw that I said that Al Saunders offense was a problem...not who the Redskins have at offense (besides of course Brunell)...in other words for someone as football wise as yourself, who probably never played besides high school, CHANGE THE OFFENSE! Defensively what I was saying was, if you have to rely on one player, especially Shawn Springs, your defensive isn't going to be as great as everyone thought it would be. You have no pass rush. And the only way to get pressure on a quarterback is to blitz. Again, to someone who knows football, such as yourself, you CAN NOT blitz all the time! Especially with to agressive Safeties, who can't cover. And yes I do mean Shawn Taylor as well. And to prove my point on that, look at the last game. Both receiving touchdowns were on Shawn Taylor. He's a great hit and run supporter but as far as coverage...FORGET! So if you're waiting on Springs to come in and help you, well you'll have a long season. And I've said it before, the injury that Springs has effect the most important part of the body for a DB and it takes at least a full year to heal.But I'm sure you'll come back and dispute but really there's nothing to dispute.[quote name='Capt. Comeback' post='70100' date='Sep 19 2006, 11:03 PM'][quote name='BearClaw' post='69923' date='Sep 18 2006, 11:49 PM']Phillip Daniels , Old and every team you play will run at him.. He is a multi-team reject, , Hell he is also a Bears reject....Shawn Springs Old...[/quote]Age is not a factor with a QB or most of the time any other position except for speed and versatility. Don't sit here and say that because someone is old that it will affect their play greatly. Age comes with loss of speed, which can come to a great effect at some point, but it also has the greatest advantage you can have in football. That advanage... a mental edge. Players with age tend to know everything about their positions. They have great awareness and ability to not make mistakes from experience. Don't go on saying a QB can get too old, because a QB gets better as they get older. Brad Johnson last year took a team 7-2 at age 37, just peering upon 38 this year. He did this where the so-called top QB in Culpepper failed to show any sign of a good season in the early goings before his injury. Knowledge is key in the NFL, and that's what you look for in a veteran. Veterans play a key role in any team, whether or not they start. They give confidence to young players, and ability and leadership to help everyone, includng themselves in tight situations.[/quote]Age is a factor. Those who play at an older age, which is far and few in between, are the exception and I can tell you Brunell is not one of them. Brad Johnson may not have the numbers of Brunell but he's a better quarterback. In other words, again just for you, he makes better decision at this point and time than Brunell. Not to mention, he's shown to have a better arm than Brunell show far this year. Of course mental edge is important but you tell me one time this year, including the preseason, has MARK BRUNELL showed any kind of mental toughness, let alone an edge.
As much as I want to, I'm not going to write them off completely yet.Portis still needs to return to 100% which will provide a running game and open up the passing game.But yeah, the problems with WRs not going over th e middle like ADrop pointed out isn't Brunell's problem. Teams know that all they have to do is sneak safeties toward the numbers and they'll have perfect pass coverage with 3 linebackers covering the middle ground area. Lloyd is too afraid to go over the middle, Santana is more of a streaker, and Randle El is also more for vertical threat.Plus Chris Cooley has done very little in helping the team.All of this could be Al Saunders' problem. Sure he's a mastermind, he was able to run a very good offense with Trent Green and a bunch of no name WRs with a good RB. The Redskins are in a similar mold but Kennison and those guys were able to do the intangibles. The line is atrocious compared to what the Chiefs have so that is holding them back a lot and Trent Green is willing to throw the deep bomb.
It's both Saunders and Williams that are being dumb right now... yes our 2 best players are out, but these coaches are considered the best in the league and have done nothing thus far with our new players.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (chang @ Sep 20 2006, 03:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>As much as I want to, I'm not going to write them off completely yet.Portis still needs to return to 100% which will provide a running game and open up the passing game.But yeah, the problems with WRs not going over th e middle like ADrop pointed out isn't Brunell's problem. Teams know that all they have to do is sneak safeties toward the numbers and they'll have perfect pass coverage with 3 linebackers covering the middle ground area. Lloyd is too afraid to go over the middle, Santana is more of a streaker, and Randle El is also more for vertical threat.Plus Chris Cooley has done very little in helping the team.All of this could be Al Saunders' problem. Sure he's a mastermind, he was able to run a very good offense with Trent Green and a bunch of no name WRs with a good RB. The Redskins are in a similar mold but Kennison and those guys were able to do the intangibles. The line is atrocious compared to what the Chiefs have so that is holding them back a lot and Trent Green is willing to throw the deep bomb.</div>I would love to think that Portis returning will bring back a running game and open up the pass, but I can't help but think back.....lets see now.....7 straight losses and not a shred of offense and a few of those did have Portis as the running back. In fact, the only times that I can remember in the past 2 years that the Redskins moved the ball efficiently on offense was when they played absolutely horrible defenses. Brunells numbers get padded by 2 things.....short or the first down passes (anyone can complete a 5 yrs pass when you need 12, and late in the game runs when the prevent D is in. Defenses are going to continue to attack the Redskins running game as long as they know they don't have to bring their linebackers back into pass coverage. The Redskins HAVE to show that they can pass before they can expect a successful running game. I know, I know...someone is going to say that you establish the run and that will open the passing game......true in a lot of cases... The reason why that works is because of what I just stated. The extra defenders need to come in to stop the run and that puts less in zone and opens up the pass. The only problem is that defenses are already doing that because they don't need them to stop our pass. So, we can't pass.....because we can't pass and now we can't run because of too many defenders.Whether or not you feel the problem is Brunell (offensively), you have to admit that he is not the right man for Al Saunders' offense. Al Saunders is used to a high powered, aggressive offense. Mark Brunell brings a slow, methodical, control, control, control, don't make a mistake, offense. These styles are clashing right now and we need to think about the future....and it starts now.
brunell just showed all of you that he can still pass today, but then again, that was against Houston secondary. lol
He did phenomenal vs. the Houston secondary today, and that's not saying much. I still need to see more of him to be impressed. He has a difficult Jacksonville secondary this coming week where he will definitely have a much harder time with ball distribution. I love that he did great today and all but IT WAS HOUSTON <u>PLUS</u> he had a LOT of run support, both Betts and Portis alone got over 200 combined yards on the ground... it won't be that easy to do vs. Jacksonville.
Record tieing 22 straight complete passes and passed 22 for 24, I`d say thats pretty good, He dont have the weapons is all.
